Scores come forward to help Rosyth boy.

Nearly 100 people sign up to become potential blood donor in bid to help youngster with aplastic anaemia

Scores of Fifers have come forward to try to help an eight-year-old who is battling a rare and life-threatening disease.

A total of 97 people signed up to become potential blood stem cell donors at a special event held for Rosyth boy Michael Gartshore.

The Dunfermline session was organised by Michael’s family and supporters in association with DKMS, an international charity that has registered more than eight million potential donors and given more than 69,000 people a second chance at life.

Volunteers were kept busy throughout the day at the pop-up event in the Kingsgate Shopping Centre.

Michael’s mother, Tracy Gartshore, said the number of people coming forward to help her young son had exceeded all her expectations.

The 32-year-old said: “It started off with folk just trickling in but it got really busy – a lot busier than I thought it would be.

“We were explaining to folk what donating actually entails and how it takes hours and hours, so for them to still want to go on the register after hearing that is just incredible.

“When I spoke to DKMS I said I wasn’t doing the event for Michael, I wanted to do it for everyone who is waiting for a donor.

“Once this is done, we’re hoping to start making plans for Michael to get his transplant.”

Michael was diagnosed with aplastic anaemia after his mum noticed unusual bruising and took him to see the doctor.

The diagnosis means the youngster’s body is not producing enough blood stem cells, which leaves him requiring two blood transfusions every week.

Despite a worldwide search for a matching donor, no one has been found, prompting a special appeal to get more people registered with DKMS.

Prospective donors at the event at the weekend had the process explained to them before they were asked to fill out a medical questionnaire.

Three swabs were then taken from their mouths. These will be sent away, tested and added to the register.

Potential donor Lauren Bennett, 25, from Cowdenbeath, said: “I was in the shopping centre and a former colleague of my mum’s came over and told us about the event taking place.

“They asked if I would do a swab and I said yes.”

Visit www.dkms.org.uk to register

When I spoke to DKMS I said I wasn’t doing the event for Michael, I wanted to do it for everyone who is waiting for a donor. TRACY GARTSHORE

Picture: George McLuskie. Volunteers, from left, Stuart, Joyce, Tracy, Helen, Caitlin, Natalie, Anne, Daniel and Veronica man the desk at the session.